Facts over Rhode Island
State: Rhode Island
Abbreviation: RI
Capital: Providence
State Since: May 29, 1790
Area Codes: 401
Bird: Rhode Island Red
Flower: Violet
Largest City: Providence
Motto: Hope
Nickname: The ocean state
Population: 1,048,319
Song: Rhode Island’s It For Me
Boom: Red Maple
Time Zone: -5
Adjacent States:
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
Travel Information about Rhode Island
Rhode Island, officially The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is one of the states of the United States. Rhode Island is the large island in Narragansett Bay, which is also known as Aquidneck Island. The area in the countryside is called Providence Plantations. Since the name is generally abbreviated to “Rhode Island”, many people think that the entire state is an island. Rhode Island is the smallest of the 50 US states in area. The standard abbreviation for the “Ocean State”, as it is nicknamed, is RI. The capital is Providence. The state is also referred to as “The Biggest Little State” by the population.
History
The area that now forms the state of Rhode Island was originally settled by Native American tribes. Roger Williams founded a colony there in the first half of the 17th century. There are several theories about the origin of the name Rhode Island. The consensus seems to be that the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block named the largest island “Roodt Eilandt” because of the red-colored clay. Another theory is that Rhode Island was named after the Greek island of Rhodes. The Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano is said to have said of the island now called Block Island around 1524 that it was about the same size as Rhodes. Later there would have been confusion about which island he meant, and so the largest island in the bay was given the name “Rhode Island”.
The English Domination
Rhode Island was one of the thirteen colonies that fought together against English rule. On May 29, 1790, it became the thirteenth and final United States Constitution to ratify, after threats that it would otherwise be considered foreign and face export taxes. In 1842 a revolt took place in Rhode Island under Thomas Dorr. The liberal constitution he designed was passed by referendum, but rejected by Governor Samuel Ward King. On May 18, 1852, Rhode Island became the first state to outlaw slavery. During the American Civil War, which was triggered by slavery, this state was on the side of the Union.
Geography
The state of Rhode Island occupies 4005 km², of which 2709 km² is land. It is the smallest of the fifty states in area and belongs to the Eastern time zone. Most of the state of Rhode Island is located on the mainland. There are also the islands of Rhode Island, Prudence Island, and Conanicut Island. These islands are all located in Narrangansett Bay, a bay on the Atlantic Ocean. About 20 km off the coast is Block Island, which is named after Adriaen Block. He was a Dutch explorer who visited the island in 1614. Rhode Island borders Massachusetts to the north and east and Connecticut to the west. The largest lake is the Scituate Reservoir. The highest point of the fairly flat state is only 247 m.
Demography and economy
In 2000 Rhode Island had 1,048,319 inhabitants (262 per km²). The largest cities are Providence and Middletown. The gross product of the state was $37 billion in 2001. The capital Providence is located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. This railroad provides the city with a fast train service to Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC. Interstate 95, a highway that is part of the Interstate Highway System, connects Rhode Island north to Boston and on to the Canadian border. West to New York City and on to Philadelphia, Washington, DC and on to Miami. The main airport is Theodore Francis Green State Airport, south of Providence.
Providence
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and one of the oldest cities in America. This historic city is home to several museums, parks and good restaurants. For example, discover the botanical center in Roger Williams Park, learn about history at Benefit Street Mile Of History or visit the museum of Culinary Arts.
The coast
Rhode Island is the smallest of all fifty states. The advantage of this is that you are never far from the wonderful coast. Or take the Block Island Ferry to Block Island for an afternoon of relaxation. Block Island is excellent for exploring by bike.
